‘Fifty Shades Freed’ dominates newcomers at box office

Universal Pictures’ “Fifty Shades Freed,” the final installment in the “Fifty Shades” trilogy, debuted in first place to the tune of $38.8 million, according to figures from measurement firm ComScore.

In second place, Sony’s family film “Peter Rabbit” earned $25 million in its first weekend in theaters, well above analyst’s predictions of $16 million. Warner Bros.’

“The 15:17 to Paris” rounded out the top three at the box office earning $12.6 million in its first weekend, at the high end of the expected $10-million to $12-million range analysts projected. This is latest directorial effort by Clint Eastwood tells the real-life story of three Americans who thwarted the 2015 Thalys train attack by subduing a gunman.
In an unusual twist, the American men, Spencer Stone, Anthony Sadler and Alek Skarlatos, play themselves in the film. It earned a B- on CinemaScore and a 20% “rotten” rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
“The 15:17 to Paris” follows a handful of Eastwood-directed hits about homegrown heroism, including “Sully” and “American Sniper.”

Coming in fourth, Sony’s “Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle,” now in its eighth week, added $9.8 million in earnings, for a cumulative $365.6 million.

Rounding out the top five, Fox’s “The Greatest Showman,” also in its eighth week, added $6.4 million for a cumulative $146.5 million.

After debuting last week in third place, Lionsgate’s “Winchester” dropped to the seventh spot this weekend, adding $5 million to its $17.1 million gross.